If you have followed the business segment serving PCs in recent years, you know that the rise of smartphones and tablets has cannibalized the PC market for quite some time now. But news out of Intel on raising its guidance is likely going to be great news for Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ: MSFT) and Hewlett-Packard Co. (NYSE: HPQ) going into summer.
Source: Thinkstock
Intel raised its guidance to a base point of $13.7 billion, plus or minus $300 million, versus a prior base of $13.0 billion, plus or minus $500 million. The company said that stronger than expected demand for PCs for business was the culprit. Well this has to be good news for the likes of Hewlett-Packard, Microsoft, and Dell. If you run a business, and certainly an enterprise business, chances are high that you use Microsoft’s Windows and Office programs and bought either Dell or HP for PCs.
Satya Nadella has to have let out a cheer inside the Microsoft offices today. Microsoft’s stock closed down 0.7% at $40.58, but Microsoft shares were back up at $40.99 in the after-hours session. Its prior 52-week high is $41.66.
Hewlett-Packard shares closed up 0.4% at $33.39 after Goldman Sachs admitted that it was too negative and raised HP’s rating up to Neutral from Sell. HP shares were up another 0.7% at $33.39 in the after-hours session.
The big question is whether this is sustainable. After jettisoning support for Windows XP, we would of course want to know if Intel’s new orders for business PC components were tied to that or if it is just raw processing demand.
ALSO READ: Why Two Analysts Love AMD So Much
Intel shares were up only three cents at $27.96 on Thursday, but Intel is set up for a solid Friday on the analyst upgrade brigade as the stock’s reaction was up 5% $29.40 in the after-hours session.
Many investors might try to discount this news, but they should not. If business demand for PCs is higher, then it could trickle all the way down the PC component supply chain.
Meg Whitman, Satya Nadella, and Michael Dell must all be feeling at least a little bit better than they did prior to the market close on Thursday.
Sponsored: Want to Retire Early? Here’s a Great First Step
Want retirement to come a few years earlier than you’d planned? Or are you ready to retire now, but want an extra set of eyes on your finances?
Now you can speak with up to 3 financial experts in your area for FREE. By simply clicking here you can begin to match with financial professionals who can help you build your plan to retire early. And the best part? The first conversation with them is free.
Click here to match with up to 3 financial pros who would be excited to help you make financial decisions.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.
Editors' Picks
